Tag: Drug Addiction

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What Is Cross-Addiction?

What does cross-addiction mean? In short, it means that you have multiple addictions. But there’s a lot more to it than that.

Usually, people with cross-addiction switch out one behavior for another. Sometimes, it’s even called “addiction transfer.” For example, imagine you go to rehab for alcohol addiction, and successfully avoid drinking after the program. But once you return home, you develop a new addiction to cocaine. If something like this happens to you, you might need additional treatment.

Cross-addiction is a unique experience, and recovery can be complex. When you’re ready to plan your recovery, you can start by learning more about what it means to be cross-addicted.

How Does Cross-Addiction Happen?

Researchers are still studying the risk factors for cross-addiction.1 We need more information to fully understand its causes. But data suggests that genetics and stress can make you more vulnerable. Experts also believe that cross-addiction follows 1 of 2 patterns:

  1. Substituting a past addiction with similar behavior (e.g., quitting gambling and developing a sex addiction)
  2. Switching between addictions based on their availability, with equally severe symptoms for each one (e.g., recovering from daily heroin use and starting to do cocaine every day)

There are a few reasons this could happen during recovery. For one thing, any kind of addiction hijacks your reward system.2 It can get to the point where addictive behaviors are the only thing that makes you feel a sense of achievement. So developing a new addiction might make you briefly feel that reward again. But we need more data to know how big a role the reward system plays in this process.

How Common Is Cross-Addiction?

Because there are so many possible types of cross-addiction, it’s hard to collect broad data about this condition. But a few specific combinations are especially common:

Some experts compare cross-addiction to relapse.6 While not identical, these issues can have a similar effect on your journey. And data shows that 40-60% of people relapse at least once during recovery.7 

Common Cross-Addiction Examples

Cross-addiction can occur with any type of addiction, including substance abuse and compulsive behaviors. Learning about some common cross-addictions can help you protect against them in recovery.

Gambling

Gambling addiction is a behavioral issue. Unlike drug or alcohol addictions, it rarely includes physical symptoms. But it can still get very serious. Compulsive gambling interferes with your financial security, career, and relationships. One study found that gambling addiction often co-occurs with video game addiction.8 

Sex Addiction

In moderation, sex can be an important part of your life. But when you start prioritizing sex over all else—including committed relationships, work, sleep, and your physical health—you might have a sex addiction. 

While sex addiction isn’t in the DSM-5, it is diagnosed in ICD-11 as compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD).9 This falls under the category of behavioral addiction, or impulse control issues. Data also shows that people with sex addiction often have additional behavioral issues. In one study, nearly 40% of people with sex addiction also had a work addiction.10

Compulsive Shopping

Shopping addiction, also called compulsive buying disorder, is another behavioral addiction. Compulsive shopping increases your risk of drug addiction,11 eating disorders, and depression. Up to 1 in 20 people may have a shopping addiction. 

Prescription Medication

Data shows that people with health problems are more likely to abuse prescription drugs.12 This may be an issue of access. If you already have opioid medication in your home, for instance, it’s far easier to abuse. And what’s more, experiencing chronic pain increases your risk of cross-addiction.13 People with chronic pain may have easier access to prescription medication, especially opioids. 

Data shows that opioids, marijuana, and alcohol all have similar effects on the brain.14 Addiction to any of these substances can make you vulnerable to abusing the other two. 

How to Avoid Cross-Addiction?

Certain coping strategies can help you avoid cross-addiction before it becomes a problem. 

Self-Awareness

Until your triggers become intuitive, you can use tools to track your feelings and behaviors. For example, some mood tracker apps let you associate emotions with activities. If you notice that the mood “anxious” usually appears just before an activity like shopping or gambling, you can bring that information to your care team. This self-awareness can help you make changes before developing a new addiction.

Educate Yourself on Cross-Addiction

Learning more about any condition can help you stay safe. If there’s a specific substance or behavior you’re concerned about, start there. Once you understand the risk factors for a type of addiction, you can get the support you need before it becomes a problem. 

Group Support

A wealth of data shows that social support is essential during addiction treatment.15 That means something a little different for everyone. You might have a close relationship with friends and family, attend support groups, or live in a sober living environment. In any setting, strong relationships can help you stay grounded throughout your recovery.

Speak With a Professional

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for cross-addiction. The right provider can help you navigate the complexities of treatment, offering advice tailored to your needs. With personalized support, you can stay on track to reach your unique goals for recovery.

How to Treat Cross-Addiction

There are nearly infinite types of cross-addiction. You could become cross-addicted to cocaine and gambling, marijuana and alcohol, or sex and video gaming. As a result, there are countless ways to heal from this condition. However, a few treatments stand out:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)16 is one of the most popular and effective treatments for any kind of addiction. In this behavioral therapy, you’ll learn to identify triggers and respond to them in new ways. Your therapist will also teach you practical coping skills for real-world situations. 
  • Contingency management (CM)17 is a treatment that offers patients tangible rewards. For example, if you pass a drug test, you might receive cash or movie tickets. Data shows that CM is highly effective for people with multiple simultaneous addictions. We still need more information about its impact on cross-addiction, specifically. 
  • Relapse prevention (RP) and mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP)18 teach coping skills and build clients’ self-confidence. Evidence suggests that these treatments protect you against abusing any substance, even ones you haven’t used before.

Find a Treatment for Cross-Addiction

On the road to recovery, cross-addiction is a relatively common hurdle. You can get back on track in a rehab program that treats addiction.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cross-Addiction

How does cross-addiction happen?

The causes of cross-addiction are still being studied, but genetics and stress may make you more vulnerable to it. Cross-addiction occurs by substituting a past addiction with similar behavior, or by switching between substances based on availability. Addictive behaviors hijack the brain’s reward system, making the development of new addictions possible.

How common is cross-addiction?

Collecting broad data on cross-addiction is challenging due to the many possible combinations of addictive behaviors. However, some specific combinations are more common, such as alcohol addiction and prescription drug abuse. Studies suggest that approximately 1.1% of adult Americans had simultaneous alcohol and drug addictions. Cross-addiction shares similarities with relapse, and research shows that 40-60% of patients relapse during recovery.

What are some common examples of cross-addiction?

Cross-addiction can manifest in various forms, including substance abuse and compulsive behaviors. Some common examples of cross-addiction include gambling addiction, sex addiction, compulsive shopping, and addiction to prescription medication. Understanding these common cross-addictions can help individuals protect themselves during their recovery journey and seek appropriate treatment when needed.
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Addiction vs. Dependence: Understanding the Difference

The terms “addiction” and “dependence” may sound interchangeable, but they mean different things. Dependence is the physical reliance on a drug. Addiction, on the other hand, has primarily psychological symptoms. You can be dependent on a substance without having an addiction. Most types of addiction include physical dependence—but that’s not always true. When you understand the difference between these issues, you can find the type of treatment that best suits your needs.

Defining Addiction

Addiction means continuing to use a substance1 in spite of its negative consequences. This is a complex psychological condition. Addiction affects the way you think and how you behave. You might feel like your actions are out of your control. While everyone’s experience is different, there are some common signs of addiction:

  • Obsessively thinking about the substance or behavior
  • Feeling like you can’t stop acting on your cravings, no matter how hard you try
  • Developing withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit
  • Isolating yourself or hiding your behavior

People can be addicted to multiple substances at a time. This includes prescription drugs, alcohol, and illicit drugs. You can also develop addictions to behaviors like sex, watching porn, using the internet, and gambling. 

Understanding Dependence

With dependence, your body relies on a substance2 to feel normal. If you go into withdrawal when you stop drinking or taking drugs, you probably have a physical dependence on that substance. Withdrawal symptoms3 vary depending on your exact health history, but a few are especially common:

  • Sweating
  • Tremors
  • Insomnia
  • Nausea
  • Increased heart rate
  • Elevated blood pressure
  • Headaches
  • Seizures
  • Hallucinations 

Both illicit and prescription substances can cause physical dependence on drugs. But there’s a difference between dependence vs. addiction. For example, many people with diabetes depend on insulin but aren’t psychologically addicted to it. You can also come to depend on substances like alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, and nicotine. And some prescription drugs, like opioids, have high rates of both dependence and addiction.4

Even if you only take drugs as prescribed, it’s important to monitor your substance use. Notice when and why you start to physically depend on a drug. If that substance dependence has a negative impact on your life, you could be at risk of addiction.

Psychological vs. Physiological Aspects

It’s possible to have addiction without dependence,5 and vice versa. But if you have both, your physical and psychological symptoms might feed off each other. For example, you might start taking opioids to relieve pain after an injury. Then, as your body heals, lowering your dosage could make you feel anxious. What starts as a physical need can become an emotional one.

Without proper support, this can quickly lead to addiction. When you’re ready to recover, it may help to differentiate between the physiological and psychological aspects of what you’re going through. Doing this empowers you and your care team to choose the most effective types of treatment.

Psychological Aspects of Addiction

There’s a good reason addiction feels so out of your control. Addictive substances change the way your brain works.6 They flood your brain with dopamine, a feel-good chemical that activates your reward system. Over time, substances change the way your brain produces dopamine.7 Drug use might become the only thing that gives you a sense of reward. The National Institute on Drug Abuse explains:

“The difference between normal rewards and drug rewards can be likened to the difference between someone whispering into your ear and someone shouting into a microphone. Just as we turn down the volume on a radio that is too loud, the brain of someone who misuses drugs adjusts by producing fewer neurotransmitters in the reward circuit, or by reducing the number of receptors that can receive signals. As a result, the person’s ability to experience pleasure from naturally rewarding (i.e., reinforcing) activities is also reduced.”

Physiological Aspects of Dependence

Like your brain, your body can quickly get used to any drugs8 you take. If you use a drug often, you’ll need higher doses to feel the same effects. This is called tolerance. You can develop a tolerance to some drugs very quickly. For example, it takes just 2-3 doses of opioids9 for some people to develop a tolerance.

Once you have a tolerance, you might start taking higher doses to get the same effect. You might also become physically dependent on the drug, and feel withdrawal symptoms if you try to quit. Many people keep using drugs to avoid those withdrawal symptoms. If this pattern continues, it might lead to addiction. 

If your body depends on a substance, withdrawal can range from being uncomfortable to dangerous. Detoxing from certain substances—like alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines—can even be fatal. Formal addiction treatment can keep you safe during this phase of recovery.

Implications and Consequences

Addiction can impact every aspect of your life, starting with your mental health.10 Substances change your brain, and might contribute to co-occurring disorders like anxiety and depression. These symptoms, along with other aspects of addiction, can interfere with your relationships. If you prioritize drug use over your colleagues or loved ones, you might face serious consequences. 

Dependence also affects your physical health, whether or not you have an addiction. For example, alcohol dependence can lead to liver problems,11 heart disease, and even cancer. Opioids increase your risk for cardiac and respiratory problems.12 And illicit drug use has a high risk of overdose13 and death.

While addiction and dependence aren’t the same, they often overlap. So when you start recovery, both your body and mind will need time to heal.

Connect with a rehab program for alcohol and drug addiction to determine which treatments can best meet your unique needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Addiction vs Dependence

What’s the difference between addiction and dependence?

Dependence is a physical reliance on a substance, while addiction is a psychological condition wherein people continue using substances despite negative consequences. While both are often present at the same time, they’re not always the same.

Can someone be dependent on a substance without having addiction? 

Yes, you can be dependent on a substance without having an addiction. Dependence refers to the physical reliance on a substance to feel normal, while addiction involves psychological symptoms and compulsive behavior. While most types of addiction include physical dependence, not all cases of dependence indicate addiction.

What are the common signs of addiction?

Common signs of addiction include obsessively thinking about the substance or behavior, being unable to stop acting on cravings, having withdrawals when you attempt to quit, and isolating yourself or hiding the behavior in question. Addiction affects the way you think and behave, and it may involve substances or behaviors such as drugs, alcohol, sex, internet use, and gambling.
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How Long Does It Take to Detox?

Detox usually lasts at least a couple of days, but many factors can affect how long detox lasts and your side effects. Getting proper care during this sensitive time is vital. Licensed professionals will help you understand how long the detox process is and safely guide you through it.

These days can provide an opportunity to start a healthier life, and detox can help lay the foundation for success. Residential or outpatient treatment can further equip you with necessary skills to maintain sobriety. To begin your journey towards a healthier life, explore the various detox services available.

Factors Affecting Detox Duration

Here are 4 things to consider when talking with a doctor about what your detox process will look like:

  • How long you’ve been using the substance
  • To what extent you’ve been using the substance
  • If you’ve been using just one substance vs multiple substances
  • Individual factors, such as overall health, mental health conditions, and metabolism
detox timeline

Detox Timeline for Common Substances

Every substance, and every person, is different, but this is what you can expect to encounter during detox for each substance. 

Alcohol

Alcohol detox usually lasts 2 – 10 days1. Symptoms appear within 6 – 24 hours after quitting drinking and are most severe during the 36 – 72 hour period. Symptoms include:

  • Anxiety
  • Sweating
  • Tremors
  • Dehydration
  • Increased heart rate and blood pressure
  • Insomnia
  • Nausea and vomiting

Severe withdrawal may involve complications like:

  • Seizures
  • Hallucinations
  • Delirium tremens
  • Extreme agitation

Alcohol detox can be life threatening, so doing this with medical care is vital.

Opioids/Heroin

Opioids are drugs such as heroin, opium, morphine, codeine, and methadone. Detox can last 4 – 20 days, depending on the opioid used1. Quick-acting opioids like heroin typically have a shorter duration than long-acting opioids like fentanyl. Withdrawal symptoms usually appear in 8 – 12 hours after quitting. Symptoms include:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Hot and cold flashes
  • Sweating
  • Muscle cramps
  • Diarrhea

Opioid withdrawal can be safely worked through as long as you are detoxing with medical supervision. 

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are psychoactive drugs that act as central nervous system depressants. Doctors prescribe them to treat anxiety and sleeping disorders. This drug is relatively easy to become addicted to, so if you are prescribed benzodiazepines, you should use them with caution.

Detox typically lasts 2 – 8 weeks, depending on the benzodiazepine. Quick acting benzodiazepines, like oxazepam, have a shorter detox period1, while clonazepam and other long acting ones have longer detox periods. Symptoms include:

  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Restlessness
  • Agitation
  • Poor concentration and memory
  • Muscle pains

Benzodiazepine withdrawal could be fatal, so it’s important to taper off these with guidance from medical professionals.

Meth/Stimulants

Stimulants are drugs such as methamphetamine, amphetamine, and cocaine. Detox usually lasts 3 – 5 days1, and symptoms begin within 24 hours of quitting. Symptoms include:

  • Agitation and irritability
  • Depression
  • Increased sleeping and appetite
  • Muscle aches

Particularly those who use methamphetamine can develop hallucinations, paranoia, or depressed thoughts during detox.

Meth and stimulant withdrawal can be safely worked through as long as you detox with medical support. 

Barbiturates

Barbiturates are depressant drugs prescribed for sleep aid, muscle spasms, anxiety relief, and seizure prevention. Detox usually lasts around 2 weeks, and symptoms appear 2 – 4 days after stopping the medication2. Symptoms include:

Barbiturate detox can be life-threatening, so it’s vital to do so under medical supervision.

Marijuana

Marijuana detox typically lasts 1 – 2 weeks1, and the symptoms are relatively mild compared to other detoxification processes. However, this can still be an uncomfortable experience. Symptoms include:

  • Anxiety 
  • Feelings of fear or dissociation
  • Restlessness
  • Irritability
  • Poor appetite
  • Disturbed sleep
  • Gastrointestinal upsets
  • Night sweats
  • Tremors

Marijuana withdrawal can be safely worked through as long as you detox with medical supervision. 

Your Unique Experience Detoxing

Taking all of this into account, detox duration and experience can vary from person to person.

The detox process can negatively affect your co-occurring disorder(s)4 or vice versa. This could apply to medical disorders or mental disorders. Agitation, depression, or hallucinations can appear during detox, so if your mental health issues include these, they may be heightened during this process.

Be sure to tell your doctor about any medical conditions you have. It’s very important that they take these into account when deciding what medication to give you, your tapering timeline, etc.

Medical Detox vs. Other Forms of Detox

Detox is a broad term, and the general definition is to rid the body of toxic things. When we hear “detox,” we may first think of using dandelion tea to cleanse our bodies, or holistically-based cellular detox. 

Medical detox, what we’ve been covering in this article, involves ridding the body of drugs or alcohol under the supervision of licensed medical professionals. Often, this involves using medication to assist the detoxification, like methadone and diazepam. 

Coming off of any substance could have negative or life threatening effects, so this process shouldn’t be taken lightly. Your detox beyond dandelion tea needs to be medically monitored for your own safety and well being.  

Detoxing Safely With Professional Guidance

Substance detox is a complicated process that requires professional guidance 24/71. Doctors can help you safely rid yourself of the substance. You could risk harming yourself if you detox without proper care. You might also relapse without the guidance of a doctor. Having professionals there helps make this uncomfortable experience as comfortable as possible. 

Post-Detox Transition and Treatment

Detox is a great start to recovery, but most of the time people will relapse if that’s the only care they receive1. The next part of your journey can include attending a residential or outpatient program to build your recovery toolkit with essential coping skills. In fact, SAMHSA emphasizes this as their 3rd pillar of detoxification5. These 3 components are 

  • Evaluation: testing how substance use has affected your body and creating a plan
  • Stabilization: medically assisted detox to get you to a stable, substance-free state
  • Fostering the patient’s entry into treatment: emphasizing the importance that you follow through with a substance abuse program to maintain your sobriety

During detox, you usually won’t participate in talk therapy because you’re in a susceptible, healing state. The real work and self growth comes after detox. During residential or outpatient care, you’ll work in individual and group therapy sessions using a variety of methods, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a highly effective treatment for addiction6. This is because it targets the thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns that are common in substance use disorder.

You can build a support network with your therapists, peers, and family. You’ll learn to identify the early warning signs of relapse. You can even participate in relapse prevention groups. And in treatment, you’ll have more time to solidify your new coping skills. 

Addiction is more than just using substances, and recovery is more than just detoxing from those substances. It’s impacted your perspective and how you think. Treatment can guide you back to a better place by shifting how you view yourself, your surroundings, and your future. 

 A Step Forward You can try your best to plan for what your detox may look like, but the bottom line is that there are a lot of variables. Detoxing safely with medical professionals ensures that the bumps along the road during this process can be molehills instead of mountains. Explore where your new journey will take you by starting with detox.

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The Most Common Addictions in the United States

Both drug and behavioral addictions are extremely common in the United States. And drug addiction is steadily on the rise. 

In 2021, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found that nearly 50 million Americans have drug or alcohol addictions.1 Behavioral addictions, like gambling and internet use, are also a growing healthcare concern.

If you’re wondering how to overcome addiction, you can start by learning about the most common types of addiction and abused drugs in the United States. 

Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol is one of many sedatives, calming the central nervous system while also causing a release of dopamine that floods the reward system, which contributes to addiction. According to a national survey done by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 11.3% of adult Americans have alcohol addiction.2 A report from the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence even calls alcohol “the most commonly used addictive substance3 in the United States.”

Causes:

There are several possible causes of alcohol addiction:4 

Alcohol is widely available, and many people feel social pressure to drink.5 This can also contribute to addiction.

Effects: 

According to the CDC, long-term excessive drinking puts you at risk6 of physical health problems and other side effects:

  • High blood pressure
  • Liver disease
  • Cancer

Alcohol addiction also affects mental health.7 It can lead to mental health conditions like depression, memory problems, and even antisocial behavior. Withdrawal symptoms can be especially dangerous, and in many cases require medical oversight or hospitalization.

Treatments:

There are many treatment programs and therapies for alcohol use disorder, from inpatient care to outpatient programs. Experts report that a few specific types of therapy are especially helpful:8

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Motivational enhancement therapy (MET)
  • Contingency management
  • Couples therapy
  • 12-Step programs

Nicotine Addiction

Nicotine and tobacco rank high on the list of most common addictions9 in America. Nicotine, the addictive substance found in tobacco, is easy to access via vaping and smoking, and legal in all states. Nicotine addiction and tobacco use can affect people of all ages, from adolescents to older adults.

Causes:

This type of addiction is often caused by repetitive use, meaning someone uses nicotine often enough for their brain to grow used to its effects and need it frequently to avoid stress and withdrawal symptoms. Smoking can become a compulsive behavior, which often signifies the change from regular use to addiction. Causes for nicotine addiction include:

  • Peer influence
  • Social expectations and norms
  • Family history of tobacco use

Effects:

Smoking cigarettes or vaping regularly comes with a host of side effects10, including:

  • Lung cancer, among other types of cancer
  • Heart disease
  • Lung diseases, which can be irreversible
  • Reproductive issues

Treatments:

Many treatment programs and tools can help with nicotine addiction, like

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), to understand the thoughts and emotions leading to tobacco use, and to gain the behavioral skills to prevent use
  • Contingency management
  • Nicotine patches and other forms of nicotine-replacement therapy, like nasal sprays or inhalants
  • Support groups dedicated to supporting people who decide to quit smoking. You can access many of these online, even through apps on your phone

Marijuana Addiction

In 2020, marijuana addiction was one of the 3 most common addictions in the United States,11 despite being an illegal drug in some states. As cannabis becomes more socially acceptable, rates of this addiction may continue to rise. People can ingest weed by vaping it, smoking bongs, or by adding tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) into food. THC is responsible for the psychoactive effects common to marijuana.

Causes:

The younger you are when you start using marijuana,12 the higher your risk of addiction. The drug’s potency also plays a role.

As more states legalize cannabis, scientists are developing more potent strains. According to Tom Freeman, Director of the Addiction and Mental Health Group at the University of Bath, high-potency marijuana has 4 times the risk of addiction.13 

Effects:

There’s a relationship between marijuana use and mental health issues,14 but we need more data to determine which one causes the other. Research shows that marijuana addiction shares symptoms with mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Long-term marijuana use also causes memory problems.15 

Treatments:

Most marijuana rehabs focus on counseling. During treatment, you might engage in a few types of talk therapy:16

  • MET
  • CBT
  • Contingency management

Opioid Addiction

There is currently an opioid addiction crisis in the United States.17 These prescribed or illicit drugs play a role in nearly 75% of all overdose deaths. According to SAMHSA, 1% of all Americans over the age of 12 had opioid addiction in 2020.18 

Fentanyl is a particularly deadly opioid, one of many synthetic painkillers that can cause addiction and overdose deaths when misused. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports fentanyl overdose deaths tripling19 from 2016-2021. Other opioids include prescription drugs like Oxycodone and Hydrocodone.

Causes:

Many factors contribute to opioid addiction,20 like genetics, environmental factors, and mental health issues. Childhood trauma also makes you more vulnerable. Chronic pain is a major risk factor,21 especially if you manage it with an opioid prescription. 

Effects:

Opioid abuse has many health risks.22 As your tolerance goes up, you may need higher and higher doses to manage physical pain. This addiction also cuts into the time you spend with loved ones, damaging your relationships.

Opioid use can be life-threatening. Overdose causes respiratory depression, in which you can stop breathing. Without immediate medical attention, this is often fatal.

Treatments:

Opioid addiction treatment plans normally include more than one type of care: 

Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine is a stimulant, like Adderall and some other prescription medications. It comes from the coca plant, which typically grows in South America. SAMHSA estimates that 1.3 million people have cocaine addiction25 in the United States. Nearly 25% of these people are teenagers. Some studies suggest that teens are more vulnerable to cocaine addiction26 than adults. 

Causes:

In addition to age, genetics play a role in cocaine addiction.27 What’s more, ongoing cocaine use can change your brain activity, so your reward system responds only to the drug. Over time, that increases your risk of addiction.

Effects:

Cocaine causes a wide range of physical symptoms, potentially requiring medical care and hospitalization. Snorting cocaine harms your nasal passages,28 causing nosebleeds, sinus issues, and respiratory problems. Smoking crack cocaine causes lung damage. Cocaine also impacts your cardiovascular system, reducing blood flow throughout the body. 

Treatments:

Most rehabs treat cocaine addiction with behavioral therapy. Contingency management and various types of CBT are especially beneficial treatments.29 There are currently no FDA-approved medications for this condition. 

Methamphetamine Addiction

Reports show that in 2019, over 2 million American adults used methamphetamine,30 up from 1.6 million in 2015. In the same time period, the number of deaths and arrests related to methamphetamine skyrocketed.

Causes:

Several experiences increase your risk of meth addiction:31

  • Drinking
  • Smoking
  • Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Family history of legal issues
  • Family history of drug use

Effects:

Meth addiction causes many health problems and mental health symptoms:32 

  • Though meth isn’t a hallucinogen, it often causes paranoia and hallucinations
  • Anxiety
  • Organ damage, especially to the lungs, liver, and kidneys
  • Dental problems
  • High blood pressure
  • Permanent neurological changes

Treatments:

In treatment for methamphetamine addiction, you’ll probably engage in behavioral therapy. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), CBT and contingency management are “the most effective treatments33 for methamphetamine addiction.”

Gambling Addiction

Because research into this condition is so new, it’s hard to accurately assess how many people have a gambling addiction. But some reports estimate that “roughly 1 percent of American adults, or about 2.5 million people, have a severe gambling problem.”34

Causes:

Men are at a higher risk for gambling addiction.35 You might also be more vulnerable if you were raised by a single parent or a parent with an addiction. 

Effects:

Unlike substance use disorders, behavioral addictions rarely have physical symptoms. Even so, the effects of gambling addiction36 can be overwhelming:

  • Anxiety which is only relieved by gambling
  • New or worsening depressive symptoms
  • Financial hardship
  • Strained family relationships

Treatments:

When you’re ready to recover from gambling addiction, your care team will help you choose the right treatment plan. That means something different for everyone. Most programs recommend at least one type of talk therapy to treat gambling disorder:37

  • CBT
  • Psychodynamic therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Family therapy

In rehab, you might also attend a 12-Step group like Gamblers Anonymous (GA).

Internet and Gaming Addiction

At least 93% of Americans are internet users.38 One study found that within that number, 63% of adolescents go online every day, and 36% go online several times each day.39 

While we have clear data about internet use, we need more about internet and gaming addiction. Various studies claim that anywhere from 38-90% of internet users have internet addiction.40 Another survey reports that 3.3% of people who play video games have a gaming addiction.41 

Causes:

Gaming and internet addiction are more common among men.42 Several factors make these conditions more likely: 

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • ADHD
  • Social isolation
  • Aggressive behavior
  • Low self-esteem

These issues can lead to internet addiction—and vice versa. Unchecked internet use makes the same symptoms even more severe. 

Effects:

Excessive gaming can have serious health effects:43 

  • Back pain
  • Eye strain
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Sporadic eating habits
  • Sleep problems

Internet addiction also isolates you from loved ones. In extreme cases, it can interfere with work or school.

Treatments:

A growing number of rehabs treat internet and gaming addiction. However, this is a new area of study. Researchers warn that until we have more data, we should approach all treatments for these addictions as experimental.44 

Despite these concerns, mental health professionals recommend a few types of therapy for internet and gaming addiction:45 

  • CBT
  • Wilderness therapy
  • Family therapy

Food Addiction

Various reports estimate that anywhere from 5.8-56.8% of Americans have a food addiction.46 Experts also note the overlap between food addiction and eating disorders47 like bulimia nervosa. 

Causes:

Food addiction and drug addiction48 often co-occur. Either one might make the other more likely. Severe childhood abuse can also lead to food addiction49 in adulthood. This condition is more likely for people with depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

Effects:

While food addiction can make you gain weight,50 that’s not true for everyone. More consistently, it leads to overwhelming feelings of guilt and shame. 

Treatments:

Food addiction recovery can include weight loss, but that’s not always the right approach. To treat the root cause of this condition, experts recommend approaching it like a binge eating disorder. CBT and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) are popular treatments for food addiction.51

Pornography Addiction

Like any other behavioral addiction, including shopping addiction, excessive pornography use can be very serious. But we don’t yet understand the scope of the issue in the United States. That’s partly because news sources commonly circulate false statistics about online pornography.52 

Causes:

Porn addiction is more likely53 for people with certain characteristics:

  • Male
  • Younger age
  • Religious
  • Novelty-seeking

It’s also more common among people who spend a lot of time online. 

Effects:

One study links excessive porn use with anxiety,54 depression, and sexual dysfunction. Porn addiction might cause these symptoms, or vice versa. Porn use also affects relationships. This condition can make it easier to objectify your partner. Over time, that disconnect can drive a wedge between you. 

Treatments:

Most rehabs for porn addiction offer several types of therapy. However, researchers say that CBT “might be the most effective technique55 for such patients addicted to pornography.” Some people also attend 12-Step groups like Porn Addicts Anonymous.

To learn more about treatment options for various addictions, search our collection of rehabs to take virtual tours, read reviews, see pricing, and more, and reach out to centers directly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Common Addictions in the U.S.

What are the most common addictions in the United States?

The most common addictions in the U.S. include alcohol addiction, opioid addiction, marijuana addiction, cocaine addiction, methamphetamine addiction, nicotine addiction, gambling addiction, internet and gaming addiction, food addiction, shopping addiction, and pornography addiction.

What are the causes of alcohol addiction?

Genetic predisposition, a family history of alcohol abuse, co-occurring mental health issues, easy availability of alcohol, and social pressure to drink can all contribute to problem drinking.

How is opioid addiction treated?

Rehabs typically treat opioid addiction through a combination of medications (such as methadone) and talk therapy. Medications help alleviate cravings, while therapy addresses the underlying psychological factors that led to the addiction in the first place.
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The Signs of Drug Use in Teens

Drug use in teens is an increasing problem in the U.S. It’s important to recognize the signs of drug use in order to intervene and help teens struggling with addiction. Common signs of drug use in teens include changes in behavior, including mood swings, attitudes, and school performance. Additionally, physical signs can include red eyes, changes in sleep patterns, and changes in physical appearance. Finally, teens with drug addiction may show signs of financial or legal trouble, including stealing money or getting into trouble with the law.

If your child is using drugs, this recovery journey you’re about to embark on can not only help your teen, but it can also make your whole family grow closer. Getting teen treatment can set your child on the path to success. 

Signs, Symptoms, and Behaviors of Drug Use in Teens

If you know what to look for, you can discover if your teen is using drugs or drinking alcohol. Be on the lookout for these signs:

Changes in mood:

  • Irritable
  • Withdrawn
  • Unable to focus
  • Depressed or hyperactive

Changes in appearance:

  • Unkempt appearance
  • Bloodshot eyes
  • Flushed cheeks

Changes in behavior:

  • Sneaking out
  • Secretive about their phone or their whereabouts
  • Missing school or work
  • Hanging out with a new crowd of friends

How to Spot Drug Use in Teens

If you have a hunch your kid is using drugs, but you want to be sure, there are some things you can do to get a better idea of the situation:

  • Have eye contact conversations, and see if their eyes are bloodshot.
  • Smell for smoke.
  • Pay attention to their emotional state, this may be out of the norm.
  • Go through their belongings: This can be a sensitive topic. Giving your children the privacy they deserve is important, but if you are concerned about your teen’s safety and well being due to possible drug use, you may want to consider this option.

Teen Drug Use Statistics

 According to the National Institute on Drug Use, since the start of COVID-19, reported drug use has decreased1. This is likely due to school closure and social distancing (i.e. less peer pressure). Luckily, the downward trend has continued through the last couple of years; however, substance use still poses a threat.

The Most Commonly Used Drugs Amongst Teens

The most commonly used drugs reported in 2022 were nicotine/vaping, cannabis/marijuana, and alcohol. (Keep in mind that these are only the reported statistics. More teens likely use these substances and just don’t report it.)

  • 20.5% of 10th graders vaped
  • 19.5% of 10th graders ingested cannabis
  • 15.2% – 31.3% of 10th graders drank alcohol

While this downward trend provides some hope, research findings show dramatic and rising death rates in youth between the ages of 14-18. 

Also, it’s important to know that fentanyl, amongst other dangerous players, has contaminated the U.S. and worldwide drug supply2. This substance is extremely potent, meaning even the tiniest drop can make the user overdose. Fentanyl could be found in drugs like cocaine, MDMA (ecstasy), and heroin because it’s cheaper to cut these drugs with fentanyl than sell the pure substance.

Educating yourself on these dangers, and knowing how to help your child, is crucial for prevention, awareness, and recovery if/when needed.

Reasons Why Teens Use Drugs

Each teen has their reasons for using drugs. Here are some common factors that can push them to experiment.

  1. Peer Pressure: Being a teenager is hard, and they just want to fit in with their peers. If their best friend, or someone they admire, offers them drugs or alcohol, they’ll likely take it to feel accepted. 
  2. Media: TV shows, movies, and especially social media nowadays can show drug use as glamorous, normal, or fun. This can appeal to impressionable teens.
  3. Self-Medication: Mental health issues start to pop up around adolescence, and some teens may see the escape of drugs as a way to avoid these complex feelings.
  4. Experimentation: Teens are curious and ready to try new things, especially as they start to gain some freedom.
  5. To Feel Grown Up: Wanting to be a grownup and assert their independence can lead them to drinking or doing drugs.

Find Help for Teen Drug Use

So you’ve had the conversation with your teen about their drug or alcohol use. Now is the time to start gathering resources on how to help them.

  1. Gather Information: Begin by browsing programs for teens. Think through what you want to get out of this experience—for your child and your family. You may want to look for gender-specific care. These programs address hardships that boys and girls uniquely experience by giving them tools to face uncomfortable emotions and experiences. Gender-specific care also helps them focus on treatment without distractions. 
  1. Engage in Family Therapy: Family therapy will likely be an important part of the recovery process, for your teen and your whole family. Addiction education for loved ones is usually offered with this, as well. This gives clarity on your teen’s journey with substances and recovery. So when your child comes home after treatment, everyone will have the skills they need to maintain a healthy recovery environment.
  1. Be Supportive: Most importantly, be a rock for your child. They’re likely going through a confusing time, so having your support will make this process easier and improve their chances of success.
  1. Make Sure You Have Support: Give yourself grace through this journey. Helping your child through addiction recovery can be emotionally draining. You will have support from medical professionals, but other family members or friends can also provide support in this process. 

4A. Remember to prioritize your own self-care. Engage in activities that bring you joy and practice stress-reducing techniques.
As your kids grow older and start making their own decisions, you can act as a compassionate guide and lead by example. What you do from here on out is what matters most. A bright future awaits for your child with the right teen treatment.

find help for teen drug use
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What Is The Most Addictive Drug?

The most addictive drug varies from person to person. Some genetic mutations make certain drugs more addictive than others. Or, you might find yourself drawn to a seemingly “less addictive” drug, like nicotine, that feels just as powerful as a narcotic. 

With that said, scientists have narrowed down a few of the top addictive drugs. Their addictive potential comes from reactions, communications, and changes in the brain. 

But for each addictive drug, you have resources for recovery. You can speak with your care team to decide which route of treatment works best for you—like going to rehab. 

Heroin

Heroin comes from certain poppy plants. As an opioid, heroin is highly addictive and can change the structure of your brain1 over time. It usually comes from South America. Dealers often cut heroin with starches, sugars, or sedatives—some of which can have unpredictable and unwanted effects. 

Pure heroin looks like a white powder and tastes bitter. Impure heroin is called “black tar” for its sticky feel and dark color (from impurities). 

You can snort powdered heroin or smoke it. For black tar heroin, you can inject it into your veins or muscles once it’s been dissolved and diluted.

Heroin absorbs into mucous membranes in your nose and lungs—or, if you inject it intravenously, it dissolves directly into your bloodstream. 

Once ingested, heroin bonds to mu-opioid receptors in your brain and activates them2, which turns off GABAergic neurons. GABAergic neurons keep dopamine from rushing along your reward circuit. Once the opioid receptor turns GABAergic neurons off, dopamine runs free, which causes a rush of euphoria and a strong sense of general well-being. 

Activating the reward system like this tells your brain opioids are about as great as it gets. Add in the distressing withdrawal symptoms, and getting more can feel like an urgent need. And as you keep taking heroin, you’ll need higher doses to feel the same high as your first time2—which means you’ve built up a tolerance. 

Much of heroin’s danger lies in this rapid high-low pendulum swing.  Soon, you might need high doses to keep from feeling sick. Trying to chase your first high, you might accidentally overdose. 

Taking too much could cause your breathing to slow to null3. You might also feel constipated, nauseous, and extremely itchy. Long-term use can knock your neuronal and hormonal systems off balance4—sometimes permanently. 

Alcohol

As a depressant, alcohol suppresses the central nervous system. And, alcohol is both socially accepted and easy to get—a tricky combination. Alcohol causes a sense of happiness and well-being5, which activates your brain’s reward system. It sees alcohol as medicine and, eventually, as something you inherently need to survive. 

Because of its addictive nature and easy access, alcohol is one of the most dangerous substances to abuse6. Over half the visits to emergency rooms have something to do with alcohol. It’s also one of the 2 most-used substances, the other being nicotine. 

Different alcoholic drinks have different levels, or percentages, of alcohol. For example, an alcoholic seltzer drink is usually 5-8% alcohol; in something like vodka, the rate goes up to 40%. 

As with illicit drugs, you can build a tolerance to alcohol. So, you might need to add a splash of vodka to your seltzer or have an extra glass of wine to feel how you’re used to feeling on alcohol. The longer this continues, the more you’ll need to drink. 

Withdrawals include insomnia, anxiety, tremors, and seizures. For many, safely detoxing from alcohol requires medical supervision. 

Nicotine

Nicotine, like many other drugs, causes a release of dopamine7. But with nicotine, the rush isn’t quite as intense as something like heroin. Nicotine has such addictive power because of its repetitive nature7 and because you can use it with other activities (and substances). 

Smoking a cigarette or vaping can enhance the pleasure of other activities7, like watching a movie, partying, having a cup of coffee, or listening to music. Even though nicotine only adds to these activities, your brain still associates it as the source of joy in those situations. And so, you learn to keep smoking, subconsciously chasing satisfaction.

What used to be fun and motivating might seem boring or too mundane without the added boost from nicotine, so stopping can be challenging7. You might even feel like nothing’s enjoyable without smoking. That’s because nicotine represses your natural dopamine-release functions, and once they’ve been suppressed for so long, it can take time for your brain to adjust and provide its own. 

Though unpleasant, nicotine withdrawals won’t hurt you8. You may have a bad headache and experience cravings. You might also feel more anxious and hungry. But all withdrawal symptoms pass with time. 

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines, or benzos, subdue the central nervous system. They’re usually prescribed to help with anxiety, panic disorders, and insomnia9 for their calming, sedative effects. But benzos can also be highly addictive.

Some benzodiazepines can cause dependence faster than others. But usually, people use them with another drug9 to balance or complement other effects. Alcohol and benzos, for example, produce an enhanced calm but can dangerously suppress the central nervous system.

The benzodiazepine Rohypnol, AKA roofies, acts as a powerful sedative. Some misuse benzos like Rohypnol against others. But usually, benzodiazepines appeal for their countering effects against opioids and for self-sedation.

Benzodiazepine withdrawals9 can feel extremely uncomfortable. You could experience nightmares, anxiety, insomnia, psychosis, hyperpyrexia (extremely high fever), and convulsions. For those reasons, detoxing under medical supervision is a safer option. 

Methamphetamines

Doctors may prescribe the psychostimulant methamphetamine, or metamfetamine, to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)10. In healthy doses (for those who need it), methamphetamine’s effects resemble the brain’s fight-or-flight response10. This response  increases energy, alertness, and focus. But it’s also a drug of abuse with a high potential for addiction.

Methamphetamine looks like a white powder11 or crystal-like rocks. It’s relatively easy to make and cheap to buy. Many pseudo-scientists make methamphetamine in discreet labs, usually hidden off the beaten path.  But most meth comes from larger labs in Mexico and overseas countries. 

Methamphetamine releases dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine10, which contribute to pleasure, satisfaction, and alertness. Using methamphetamine for pleasure can cause binges, since the desired effects only last a few minutes. And because meth is one of the cheaper stimulants and easy to get, feeding the binges might not seem like a problem. 

But, as with other drugs, your brain changes with repeated doses. You might build up a tolerance12, prompting higher doses. Your brain may also stop producing dopamine and serotonin on its own. 

Methamphetamine withdrawals12 can cause cravings, depression, anxiety, violent behavior, confusion, insomnia, hallucinations, delusions, and psychosis. 

Cocaine

Cocaine is another highly addictive stimulant13. It’s also one of the most common illicit drugs14 in America. 

Cocaine prevents the reuptake of dopamine14, meaning dopamine stacks up on dopamine receptors. This sends an intense rush of pleasure and stimulates the entire reward pathway15, causing your brain to see cocaine use as intrinsically rewarding. Even the sights, sounds, and places associated with cocaine use can trigger the need for a dose. 

As with many other drugs, you can become used to the effects of cocaine, or “tolerant”. You’ll need more and more to feel the same high as your first time. This puts you at risk for an overdose. New dangers also lie in adding vermisol to cocaine15, which is used as a cutting agent. Sometimes, fentanyl even makes its way in. 

The withdrawals from cocaine16 include insomnia, tremors, cravings, and hyperactivity. 

Crack Cocaine

Crack cocaine is a smokeable version of regular cocaine17. So it’s also a stimulant, and addictive, but even more potent due to how it’s ingested. Before it’s smoked, crack cocaine looks like small rocks or crystals. 

The membranes in your lungs absorb crack cocaine18 easily and quickly, resulting in an almost immediate high. The high goes away faster than powder or liquid cocaine, which could prompt a binge—smoking until you run out of crack or money.  

The reinforcing action is even more powerful in crack cocaine17. Your brain thinks it’s a good idea to keep having more more often, trying to realize the pleasure it knows crack can give.

Barbiturates

Similar to benzodiazepines, barbiturates are a depressant19 generally used for anxiety, headaches, seizure prevention, and insomnia. Those who misuse this prescribed medication usually do to counter the effects of other drugs—typically stimulants like cocaine.

You can take barbiturates as a pill or liquid. Barbiturates make you feel sleepy, relaxed, and at ease19. They can also impair your memory and judgment, and make you irritable. You might also feel paranoid and suicidal.  

Overdosing on barbiturates19 causes your heart rate to rise, your breathing to slow, and your body temperature to lower. Overdoses can also cause comas and death.  

Methadone

Doctors prescribe methadone, a synthetic opioid20, to treat opioid use disorders (OUDs). It relieves cravings, reduces withdrawal symptoms, and doesn’t provide the same “rush” of euphoria as other opioids. At the correct dosage, these factors make methadone a valuable treatment element20 for OUDs. 

Part of what makes methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) effective is the low risk for addiction. And, in MMT, you don’t have to share needles or risk taking heroin, cocaine, etc., of unknown purity20. Doctor oversight adds another element of safety. 

But methadone does have an addictive element. The usual dose for OUD management ranges from 60+mgs20. Sometimes, patients in treatment buy extra doses from others or hoard doses to eventually get a euphoric effect from methadone. 

Taking too much methadone can cause dangerous effects, especially if you’re on other medications. Signs and symptoms of an overdose20 include dizziness, slurred speech, unconsciousness, slow pulse, shallow breathing, tiny pupils, and frothing at the mouth. 

Naloxone reverses the overdose effects of methadone20, as it does with other opioids. 

Marijuana

Marijuana, or weed, comes from the marijuana plant. Its addictive psychoactive properties lie in the THC21 (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) in marijuana. You can ingest marijuana in many ways21—smoking the leaves, drinking it in tea, eating foods with weed, and smoking concentrated weed in the form of a sticky resin.

Weed produces a sense of relaxation22 and a milder feeling of euphoria. Weed can also make you pretty hungry (or, give you the munchies) and laugh easily. You’ll experience these effects right away if you smoke weed. 

Eating it slows the onset by a half hour or more, which could prompt you to redose, thinking it’s not working. Taking too much can cause anxiety, fear, paranoia, and panic22—the opposite of what weed usually feels like. Extremely high doses can even cause acute psychosis.  

Marijuana activates the reward system23 in your brain, causing a flood of dopamine to course along your reward pathway. After continued use, your brain teaches you to keep having weed as a way to feel reward and satisfaction. Continued usage can also impair your memory, learning abilities, and balance23.

Starting weed at a young age leads to a higher risk of addiction24. But anyone at any age can find themselves addicted, meaning they’d feel withdrawal symptoms and be completely unable to stop—even when they know they should. In states that don’t monitor distribution, the potency of THC continues to rise too. This creates consequences scientists and health professionals haven’t fully realized yet. 

But for each substance and its potential for addiction, you have opportunities to recover. 

Find Effective Drug Addiction Treatment Near You

The most addictive drug could vary widely from person to person. While one person might struggle to stop smoking cigarettes, someone else might not feel able to stop drinking—but drinking isn’t a problem for the first one. 

Fortunately, treatment for drug addiction caters to this variance. You can get the care you need at a residential rehab, outpatient facility, or detox unit. Your care team can help you decide which type and level of care will best meet your needs. 
To see a comprehensive collection of rehab facilities, you can browse our list of drug addiction rehabs to see photos, prices, reviews, insurance information, and more.

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Can Withdrawal Kill You?

Without proper care, the withdrawal symptoms from certain substances could kill you. A symptom this extreme depends on what you’ve been taking, how much, and how long you’ve been taking it. 

Not every drug has dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Some, though extremely uncomfortable, won’t hurt you. But alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opiates have the potential to be deadly.

After discussing your situation with your doctor or care team, you might decide to detox in a licensed, medically monitored detox environment. Many rehab centers with detox offer just this. 

What Causes Withdrawal Symptoms?

Your brain and body get used to drugs or alcohol and adapt to work around them. Once you stop taking substances, your body has to adjust to life without them. So, you experience withdrawal symptoms as your body returns to homeostasis1. Though the change is arguably good, your body still has to adjust—which might not feel good at all. 

If you’ve become highly dependent, stopping becomes dangerous. In those cases, you can seek treatment in a detox center or a residential rehab with detox. Detox centers treat non-life-threatening withdrawal symptoms too. Your comfort and safety both matter. 

Withdrawals vary across the different types of drugs and substances. Some pose no threat. Others require careful supervision. 

Alcohol Withdrawal

Detoxing from alcohol2 could be dangerous. The level of danger, and general symptom intensity, depends on how much you drink and how long you’ve been drinking. 

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms2 could include 

  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Shaking
  • Delirium tremens (DT)
  • Insomnia
  • Hallucinations
  • Extreme confusion
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Excessive, purposeless activity (getting in and out of bed, wandering around)
  • Anxiety
  • Grand mal seizures

Delirium tremens commonly affect those with a long history of drinking. DT’s symptoms3 include “profound confusion, autonomic hyperactivity, and cardiovascular collapse.” It’s rare, but needs to be caught as soon as possible to avoid danger. 

The other symptoms of alcohol detox may feel gross, but don’t tend to be life-threatening—especially under the supervision of doctors and nurses. Then, medications like Antabuse can help you stay sober4 in recovery.

Opiate Withdrawal

Opioid withdrawals can feel like a bad flu5, or the sickest you’ve felt in your entire life. Typically, though, it’s not one of the withdrawals that can kill you. The severity of symptoms depends on your dose and how long you’ve been taking opioids. 

The discomfort of opiate withdrawals can make you crave opioids even more. For many, temptations to alleviate the pain can cause a relapse5. Detoxing in a residential setting could help you avoid this in your early days of recovery.

During your opioid detox period, you might experience

  • Diarrhea
  • Dysphoria
  • Goosebumps
  • Restless legs
  • Muscle pains
  • Dizziness
  • Insomnia
  • Malaise
  • High heart rate

You can die from dehydration during opioid withdrawals6, caused by excessive vomiting and diarrhea. This catastrophic effect usually happens in jails, where prompt (and sufficient) medical care isn’t as common. 

Medications can curb the effects of opioid withdrawals7. For opioid detox, your doctor may prescribe methadone, buprenorphine, clonidine, and lofexidine. Each operates in different ways to diminish cravings and make withdrawals more comfortable. You can continue to take these medications to maintain your sobriety.

Heroin Withdrawal

As a short-acting opioid, heroin’s withdrawals typically set in 8-24 hours after your last dose7. They can last 4-10 days. 

Heroin’s withdrawal symptoms mimic a very bad flu. Turning to opioid-agonists, like methadone, can help you taper off high doses and maintain sobriety. Methadone relieves cravings and discomfort without the euphoric rush of heroin and other opioids8, making it non-addictive at the proper dose. 

And, using a maintenance medication like methadone reduces the risk of relapse by satisfying cravings8. This can also prevent HIV and infections caused by needle sharing—and, largely, relapse in general. 

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal

Depending on your dose and length of use, benzodiazepine withdrawals can be life threatening. Benzos treat anxiety and sleep disorders5 but could become addictive if used too long. Detoxing from benzos presents several dangers.

Benzo withdrawals resemble alcohol withdrawals5, which have a death risk. For that reason, you’ll likely need to detox in a medically monitored setting, like a hospital or residential rehab. Here’s what you might experience during benzodiazepine detox9:

  • Seizures
  • Muscle pains
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety
  • Restlessness
  • Agitation
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Hand tremors
  • Excessive sweating
  • Heart palpitations
  • Catatonia
  • Death

Withdrawal symptoms usually begin 2-10 days after your last dose and can last 2-8 weeks. You can manage the symptoms by gradually weaning off benzodiazepines5, which gives your body time to adjust to lower doses. Going cold turkey, or stopping all at once, could cause psychosis, death, seizures, and convulsions10.  

Withdrawing From Multiple Substances

There’s limited research on detoxing from multiple substances. But, the available research shows each drug needs its own attention during detox11. For example, detoxing from a stimulant and a depressant at the same time requires a more nuanced approach. So, physicians may prescribe 2 withdrawal medications to combat the effects of multiple substances. 

Withdrawing from multiple substances has its challenges, but it’s not uncommon. A study found 71% of patients in detox were withdrawing from 2 or more substances11. Your care provider will make the ultimate decision regarding any medications you’ll need during detox and how the process might look for you. 

Getting Treatment for Withdrawal Symptoms

At best, detoxing might feel uncomfortable. At worst, it could kill you. But for each end of the detoxing spectrum, you have treatment options. 

For many withdrawal symptoms, you may need the help and care of a detox center. Or, a residential rehab with a detox program. In a center like this, you can begin therapeutic residential treatment right after detoxing.
To see your options, you can browse our list of rehabs with detox that includes pricing, photos, insurance information, and more.

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Sober Women of History

Sober women have contributed to the recovery movement in America since it first began. Their early contributions helped make the recovery space more accessible and acceptable for women. 

Women also advocated for gender-specific treatment, support groups, and 12-Step meetings. Their work is still felt around the world today. Some rehabs cater to just women, too. 

Women in Recovery Who Made a Difference

Each and every woman in recovery makes a difference. Women who challenged the stigma of addiction and recovery early on paved the way for continued advocacy, fresh recovery programs, and support. 

Betty Ford (1918-2011)

Former First Lady Betty Ford left a large mark on the addiction treatment scene and the stigma surrounding it. After a battle with opioid and alcohol addictions, an intervention, and treatment, Betty realized she was in a unique position to make a difference. 

First Lady Betty Ford helped create her own treatment center, the Betty Ford Center, designed to help both men and women find recovery. Betty Ford Centers have since expanded across America. 

The Betty Ford organization merged with the Hazelden Foundation in 2014. Hazelden pioneered the Minnesota-model of treatment1, which focuses on 12-Step treatment. Their merge broadened the impact of Betty’s first decision to make her addiction known and use her notoriety to help others.

Jean Kirkpatrick, Ph.D (1923-2000)

Jean Kirkpatrick, sociologist, formed Women for Sobriety in 1975. She attended 12-Step AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meetings throughout her recovery process. After finding a need for women-focused treatment, she created a solution herself: Women for Sobriety2. 

Women for Sobriety groups meet across America now. Dr. Kirkpatrick’s history of repeated relapses, research, and life-long determination brought a gift to the world many women continue to enjoy. 

Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011)

American actress Elizabeth Taylor lived a lavish, seemingly ideal life. But after a spinal surgery and other health conditions, she became addicted to prescription pain pills3. She also struggled with alcohol addiction. 

Elizabeth Taylor made the decision to publicly announce her admittance to Betty Ford Center, Betty Ford’s first treatment center. By doing so, Elizabeth gave permission for other celebrities to do the same. She also normalized treatment for women—even pretty, successful ones like her.

As a Hollywood Icon, Elizabeth Taylor embodied who many women wished they could be. So seeing her go to rehab, openly admit it, and then go again after a relapse may have been more impactful than she’ll ever realize.  

Nora Volkow (1956-Present)

Nora Volkow, current director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), changed the way we see addiction. Her work in brain imagery showed that addiction isn’t a character flaw or personal failing. Rather, it’s a tangible change in the brain. 

Her work contributed heavily to the disease model of addiction4. This revolutionized the old idea of addiction being something to punish. Now, for many, it’s something to treat.

Women in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) provides a resource for Americans struggling with alcohol addiction. While it didn’t specifically exclude women, they weren’t welcomed in the same way men were. Usually, women were seen as the supportive spouse, attending just for their husbands’ sake. Or, women were villainized for their addiction. 

Some of the very first women in AA decided to change that.  

Florence R. (?-1943)

Florence was one of the very first members of AA5. She joined one of the pioneering groups in New York, wrote the first section written by a woman in the Big Book, and tried to start an AA group in Washington. 

Though she didn’t succeed, and eventually returned to drinking, Florence made AA meetings somewhere women could go, too. Those early members became family to her—something that still happens to this day.

In Florence’s case, just showing up to meetings made her an early AA icon. Despite her sobriety not lasting, she still made AA meetings a more accepting, open place for women.

Marty Mann (1904-1980)

Marty supported the disease model of addiction, a brave move at a time when it wasn’t yet proven. She was one of the first women to bring awareness to addiction6 as something to heal, not punish. Marty fought against the stigma women in particular received: that they were promiscuous, uncontrollable, and without value. Instead, she advocated for recovery through acceptance.

Marty Mann also founded the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. She encouraged other women to get help, and those in the LGBTQ+ community. As a gay woman, Marty Mann bridged gaps between 2 underserved communities and the help they deserved. 

Dr. Ruth Fox (1896-1989)

Dr. Fox became the first medical director of The National Council on Alcoholism in 1959. She was one of the first psychoanalysts to take alcoholic patients. And she pioneered the use of Antabuse7 to treat alcohol addiction, which we still use today.

Dr. Ruth Fox also founded the American Medical Society on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies. 

Dr. LeClair Bissell (1928-2008)

Dr. Bissell co-founded the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)8. Like Marty Mann, she helped change the way the public saw addiction, women in recovery, and gay women. LeClair also advocated heavily for alcoholism treatment in professionals, specifically medical professionals. 

All these women changed the way women and the world see recovery. They made healing seem like a safe option for women who were scared, embarrassed, and without hope–but wanted out.

Those options for recovery still exist today, for men and women. And we have a lot of people to thank for that.

Find a Recovery Program Today

Much has changed from the early days of AA and recovery as a whole. While the stigma surrounding addiction hasn’t yet disappeared, these early women in recovery diminished it bit by bit. 
Thanks to them and many others around the world, ethical, women-focused recovery programs exist globally. You can browse our list of women-only rehabs and see photos, reviews, insurance information, and more.

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Women for Sobriety: Healing with Your Sisters

Women face a different set of challenges than men during addiction recovery. Surrounding yourself with like-minded women can help you feel more supported and open during your recovery journey. 

Women for Sobriety (WFS) does just that. They are a women’s only peer-support program designed for overcoming substance use disorders. Like WFS, attending a women’s only rehab can meet you where you’re at and guide you on the path to sobriety. 

What Is Women for Sobriety? 

In the past 25 years, research has shown that there are significant gender differences in alcohol and drug recovery1. Because of this, treatment and professionals need to adapt to uniquely serving both men and women.

This is where Women for Sobriety (WFS)2 comes in. Founder Jean Kirkpatrick, a sociologist, had been an alcoholic for many years. She tried Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) but felt that something was missing. That’s when she found out that the success rates of recovery were higher for men than women. After her own journey of achieving, and maintaining, sobriety, she kick started WFS in 1975.

Is Women for Sobriety Affiliated with a Religion?

WFS runs on the core belief that “[women] have the power of changing [their] way of thinking. [They] live in the atmosphere created by [their] mind and [their] thoughts.” The organization helps you realize that you have the power to change, and that choosing positivity will create a positive reality. WFS does not have any religious affiliations; however, it can be used alongside other religious recovery support groups for women. 

Their New Life program3 promotes lasting change through:

  • Positive reinforcement (approval and encouragement)
  • Cognitive strategies (positive thinking)
  • Letting the body help (relaxation techniques, meditation, nutrition, and physical exercise)
  • Dynamic group involvement

WFS Affirmations

WFS has 13 empowering statements that their members follow, similar to AA’s 12 Steps. These affirmations help guide your daily life in a positive, motivated direction. WFS breaks down these 13 statements into their 6 Levels of Recovery. As you move through each level and continue on your journey with WFS, you’ll focus on growing in all different areas of your life. 

Level 1: Acceptance of having a substance use disorder, one that requires the cessation of substance use. (Acceptance statement 1) You’ll learn to come to terms with your addiction, and realize that sobriety is necessary. You’ll learn more about substance use disorders and how to care for your mind and body.

Level 2: Discarding negative thoughts, putting guilt behind, and practicing new ways of viewing and solving problems. (Acceptance statements 2, 4, and 9) You’ll examine what factors in your life are problem areas. You’ll pick out negative habits and thought patterns and actively work on shifting those to healthy ones. You’ll recognize that you don’t need to let your problems overwhelm you and see them as growing opportunities. 

By this stage, you’ll have 1.) a regular exercise routine and 2.) way of relaxation and meditation.

Level 3: Creating and practicing a new self-image. (Acceptance statements 5 and 12) This is the phase where you tap into your power. You’ll take responsibility for your feelings and behaviors, and you’ll let go of people, situations, and things outside of your control. 

You’ll be picky about what energy you allow into your life, so that you can create a positive environment. You’ll learn that one mistake does not ruin all the hard work you’ve done. You’ll create the self-image of a powerful, confident woman who owns her life.

Level 4: Using new attitudes to enforce new behavior patterns. (Acceptance statements 3, 6, and 11) During this level, you’ll learn to choose happiness every single day. You’ll adopt a positive attitude that you can share with your loved ones. And every day, you’ll seek out magic in the ordinary. 

Level 5: Improving relationships as a result of our new feelings about self. (Acceptance Statements 7 and 10) You’ll learn to be vulnerable with others and the world around you. You’ll work on developing meaningful, reciprocal relationships. This step comes later in the healing process because first, you must mend the relationship you have with yourself. 

Level 6: Recognizing life’s priorities: emotional and spiritual growth, self-responsibility. (Acceptance statements 8 and 13) You’ll continue to work on the lifelong relationship that you have with yourself through emotional and spiritual growth. You’ll take ownership of your actions and choose a happy and healthy lifestyle.

Women for Sobriety Meetings

To make the WFS program effective for you, you must practice it consciously each day. This can be easy with the help of other supportive sisters. There are different meetings that you can choose from to fit your schedule and needs. WFS embraces all expressions of female identity and welcomes those in the LGBTQ+ community.

In-person support groups

“Face-to-face” groups are available in the United States and Canada. These meetings are just for women who are recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. Meetings occur once per week and usually last 60-90 minutes. Ideally, only 6-10 women attend per group.

During in-person meetings, you’ll face each other in a circle in an open discussion format. At the beginning of the meeting, the 13 Acceptance Statements and the mission statement are read out loud. Each woman introduces herself by saying, “my name is ____ and I am a competent woman.” You’ll then share a positive action or feeling that relates to one of the 13 affirmations. You’ll go over different topics, share stories, and learn together throughout those 60-90 minutes. 

At the end of the meeting, you’ll stand with joined hands and say the WFS Motto: “We are capable and competent, caring and compassionate, always willing to help another, bonded together in overcoming our addictions.” 

If this resonates with you, you can find a face-to-face group near you.

Online meetings

WFS Online is an open forum for women overcoming their addiction. This is a 24/7 message board where women can share and seek support for their recovery. There are online chat meetings that happen 1-2 times daily. And these meetings are free.

If this style of online support resonates with your recovery journey, join the online forum today.

Healing Through Love

Jean Kirkpatrick set out on a mission to help women all across the country recover differently than what society has told them they should do. The Women for Sobriety program has helped thousands of women find their place in the recovery community. Healing with other women will not only help you on your lifetime sobriety journey, but you’ll also form incredible relationships along the way. Discover how women’s only treatment can help you feel at home.

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2023 Oscar Nominated Movies That Include Addiction

Films and TV shows tend to shape how culture views a certain subject (or profession). Recently, the idea of therapists, mental health, and addiction in pop culture became more mainstream. However, some films and shows do more harm than good—overdramatizing addiction and mental health, or just poorly representing it.

Others capture the rawness, truth and importance of addiction and mental health. 

All the Beauty and the Bloodshed 

Winning an Oscar for best documentary, All the Beauty and the Bloodshed recounts photographer Nan Goldin’s experience with addiction. She depicts her addiction to prescription painkiller OxyContin, and her frustration with the Sackler family.  

America’s Opioid Crisis

All the Beauty and the Bloodshed shows that Nan’s addiction began after an injury. Doctors prescribed a common medication at the time, OxyContin – which is highly addictive if taken incorrectly1. It contains oxycodone, which causes a high similar to heroin. 

Nan, like many others, became addicted to OxyContin after a perhaps thoughtless pain management plan. Nan formed P.A.I.N.2, Prescription Addiction Intervention Now, to “speak for the 250,000 bodies that no longer can.”

The Sackler family, owners of Purdue Pharma, received backlash for pushing OxyContin prescriptions when they perhaps weren’t needed. Nan worked to get museums and other Sackler-supported institutions to publicly separate from the family. 

America’s opioid crisis may have begun with overprescription of pain meds3, but it’s since grown for new reasons, like cheap, accessible products. Fentanyl, too, plays a large role in the 1,500 opioid-related deaths per week.

Treatment Options for Opioid Addiction

Many rehabs treat opioid addiction. In a residential setting, you’ll likely go through a medically supervised detox first, then begin therapeutic treatment. 

Therapies for opioid addiction could range from talk therapies to contingency management plans, which offer rewards for each step you complete in treatment. Talk therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) will help you work through the thoughts and emotions causing your behaviors. Then, you’ll learn new ways to process and manage what you feel.

You’ll learn coping tools for the future, relapse prevention strategies, and typically engage in an aftercare program to keep you well supported. 

All the Beauty and the Bloodshed explored prescription medication addiction. Other nominated movies this year blazed new trails, like The Whale.

The Whale Explores Grief And Binge-Eating

The Oscars nominated Brendan Fraser for Best Lead Actor. The Whale depicts Charlie’s (Fraser) journey through binge eating, grief, and depression. His coping mechanism began after the death of his partner. 

The story highlights the power of grief and the hold of eating disorders, and how they can function as a coping tool. Different characters in the film try to help Charlie, but as it often is, his grief is persistent. 

What Is Binge Eating Disorder?

Binge eating is eating without control4—it might feel impossible to stop. Sometimes, after binging, a purge happens; this is the pattern of bulimia nervosa5. You might purge through throwing up, taking laxatives, excessive exercise, or starving yourself. It’s meant to “undo” the binge. Not every binge eater purges, though. 

Binge eating might be your coping tool, especially if you’re dealing with something as powerful as grief.

Grief And Depression

Depression is a stage of grief6, as proposed by Kübler-Ross. In The Whale, Charlie mourns the loss of his partner, who died by suicide. Depression became a strong stage in his mourning. 

If you or someone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, you can call or text the number 988.

The film suggests binge eating became Charlie’s own way of committing suicide.

Getting Help for Grief And Depression

There’s help for the millions of others like Charlie. Grief and depression can weigh heavily—sometimes unbearably so. But you do have options to heal. 

Complicated grief therapy (CGT)7, for example, can help with grief and all its stages. Using loss- and restoration-focused care, “the therapist works to facilitate the progress of grief to help the client come to terms with the death.” 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help with depression and grief7. Using CBT, your therapist can help you modify your thoughts and change your behaviors. For grief, CBT could help you process your loss in a more productive way.

To Leslie And Blonde

Both To Leslie and Blonde highlight drug and alcohol addiction. They were also both nominated for Best Leading Actress in the 2023 Oscars. Ana de Armas played Marilyn Monroe in Blonde, and Andrea Riseborough played Leslie in To Leslie.

To Leslie depicts a mother’s struggle with addiction, spurred on by a seemingly-ideal lottery win. Leslie reaches new lows and eventually seeks help for her daughter’s sake and herself. 

Blonde retells the life story of Marilyn Monroe, who tragically and famously died after an overdose. 

Drug And Alcohol Addiction: Not Just for The Famous

Movies like Blonde make addiction seem almost ritzy—something only people with deep pockets can do. Then, To Leslie goes and proves that wrong. So which is true? 

It’s both. 

Addiction doesn’t discriminate. In each movie, despite the contrasts in leading women, their reasons for substance abuse were similar. The case remains true for many today. Stressors, mental illnesses, or trauma can start a habit you can’t stop on your own. 

Stories like Leslie’s and Monroe’s can help the larger public see this through a cleaner lens. Addiction wasn’t a moral failing of either woman. It was how they coped. 

But there’s more than one way to find that same sense of control. Treatment can help you see that.

Treatment Options for Drug And Alcohol Use

Many rehabs treat drug and alcohol addiction. Here, you’d have constant monitoring, individualized care, and a structured treatment schedule. Most residential rehabs also offer on-site detox. 

Depending on your situation, you might find an intensive outpatient program (IOP) or partial hospitalization program (PHP) more suitable. Each of these programs provides effective treatment, and you get to go home at night. IOP is less intensive, usually lasting 3-5 hours a day, while PHP could go for 5-8. 

In these treatment settings, you’ll learn relapse prevention skills and work on the thoughts behind your behaviors. Rehabs typically offer a variety of therapies to meet your needs. 

You can browse our list of rehabs to see reviews, pricing, and insurance information, and more.